INFINICUT® launch new SM34 Rotary Mower

At the first in a series of launch events, Groundsmen and Greenkeepers were invited to Tottenham Hotspur FC’s training facility to see the new INFINICUT® SM34 Rotary Mower. Using the very latest design technology, MTD design engineers have produced a machine that has unsurpassed rotary cut quality to ensure the best possible results regardless of turf conditions.The SM34 follows the same design philosophy as the rest of the INFINICUT® range, offering best in class performance with an emphasis on a modern, clean power source. It takes its mode of traction from the INFINICUT® reel mower, renowned for its durability, paired with a deck designed on the back of MTD’s considerable years of rotary experience. By utilizing expensive stamp tooling, users can be confident that airflow is optimal when compared to other fabricated decks. The culmination is a machine that ensures ‘fit-for-purpose’ application, but also necessary safety compliance that comes with rotary decks.Designed for professional users, the INFINICUT® SM34 can be used to mow grass in the traditional sense or used as a stand-alone vacuum. In cut mode, the new rotary offers a striping effect usually only achieved with a professional reel mower. The 34” cutting width combines better productivity and lightweight design, which negates the issues of tire rutting and wear of a larger ride on mower. The blades are made from premium-grade, high carbon steel for better performance and extended life, and come pre-balanced to exhibit less vibration.As with the rest of the INFINICUT® fleet, the machine offers the operator a number of parameters which can be tailored to their particular requirements. With the extreme accuracy of HOC that users often work to in mind, the SM34 has paralleling and deck pitch adjustment features as standard. It can be specified with either an engine generator or lithium battery as a power source. In battery mode the SM34 is quieter in operation, environmentally friendly and can provide significant fuel cost saving when compared to other rotary mowers.Commenting on its launch John Coleman, Head of MTD Specialty Products UK, added, “The INFINICUT® Rotary was a natural product progression from our well recognised INFINICUT® cylinder mower range. The design of this machine is a combination of our own concepts and ideas but at the same time we’ve listened carefully to our customers feedback. The culmination is a machine that takes a known concept and places it firmly in the modern era by introducing wireless parameter adjustment via our proprietary InfiniApp®.”

On 1st June, Elior UK began a five-year catering contract with Warrington Wolves Rugby Football Club at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. With the scope of work spanning matchday hospitality, matchday retail and conference and banqueting, Elior is a fully integrated partner in the Warrington Wolves team, serving up to 15,000 fans each matchday.Offering decades of experience within sports and stadia, Elior secured the contract by its best in class approach to matchday hospitality, strategic plans to grow non-matchday business and significant investment in the retail offer. Elior’’s impressive proposal for retail has the Wire fan matchday experience at its heart. Planned for the start of the 2020 season, the kiosks and bars will have a new look and feel that embraces both the club and food from the region, with creative menu concepts, digital signage and cashless payment options. Speaking on behalf of Elior UK, Kenny Finlayson, managing director, says: ““We’’re delighted to be supporting Warrington Wolves RFC as their catering partner, growing our businesses together at this fantastic venue. The customer experience starts as soon as a fan steps into the stadium, and we aim to deliver a fantastic matchday experience at every touchpoint in that journey.““““Not only are we representing the best of Cheshire’’s local produce, we are introducing an exciting range of high street inspired offers, that we know fans and visitors to the stadium will love.““Geoff Durbin, Chief Commercial Officer, Warrington Wolves RFC said: ““We were impressed with Elior’’s track record and award-winning reputation in sports and stadia. This – coupled with a plan that not only encompassed exciting, creative food and dining concepts, but considered the entire hospitality experience – captured our attention. We’’re looking forward to building our success with Elior over the next five years.““Leading the way in sports and stadia contract catering, Elior has won a number of prestigious awards in recent years. These include Stadia of the Year, Sports & Leisure Catering Awards 2017, Elior UK Star Site 2016, Best Specialist Entertainment Venue Awards, Best Bar None 2016, National Champion, Best Bar None 2016.

Ipswich Town F.C. Fuel Cleaner Air with Cleaner Fuel in Ground Machinery Fleet

Ipswich Town F.C. is committed to improving the air quality at its Playford Road Training Centre, and has transitioned all ground machinery from traditional diesel to cleaner-burning, Shell GTL (Gas To Liquid) Fuel.The club plans to monitor the fuel’s performance in its training centre’s fleet of mowers and tractors and measure its benefits to the environment, grounds staff and local community. If successful, the initial off-road delivery of 2250 litres of may be increased to serve the ground machinery used at Ipswich Town’s historic Portman Road stadium.Ipswich Town Football Club Grounds Manager, Ben Connell, spoke on the motivation behind the switch to and alternative fuel “We believed that the club – and our neighbours – would benefit from adopting an odourless fuel with lower emissions that can reduce noise levels in engines. The grounds staff work with machinery all day and we were conscious of how regular diesel emissions may have been affecting their health and wellbeing.“Furthermore, our Playford Road Training Centre in Rushmere-St Andrew is surrounded by a number of residential properties and we felt a responsibility to minimise the environmental impact on the local community – Shell GTL fuel was an ideal solution.“I think the highest praise we can give Shell GTL Fuel is that we haven’t noticed it at all. It’s been business as usual since we made the switch from diesel: no operational issues, no teething problems – completely seamless.”Shell GTL Fuel has been shown to reduce Nitrogen Oxide by up to 37% and Particulate Matter emissions by up to 90% – both of which are released from diesel combustion engines and pose a serious and immediate impact to human health in UK towns and cities.Shell GTL Fuel is also free of unwanted components such as sulphur, metals and aromatics, making it non-toxic and therefore less harmful to the environment.Leigh Claridge, Regional Commercial Manager at Certas Energy said: “We were very excited by the opportunity to partner with Ipswich Town Football Club. Not only due to the heritage and stature of the club, but because of its innovative and forward-thinking approach to improving air quality for staff and local communities alike. As the first carbon neutral football club in the UK – as well as its ‘green’ collaborations with the likes of E.ON, DEFRA and the University of East Anglia, Shell GTL Fuel is the ideal solution to support its future environmental initiatives.”